83R24764 BPG-D

By: Bonnen of Galveston H.R. No. 1955

R E S O L U T I O N

WHEREAS, The Clear Creek Independent School District Robonauts won three regional robotics tournaments in a row and qualified to compete in the 2013 FIRST Robotics Competition world championship in St. Louis, Missouri; and

WHEREAS, Founded in 1989, For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology, or FIRST, encourages young people to take an interest in science and technology and to become leaders in related professions; the organization engages students in mentor-based programs that enhance knowledge in those disciplines while fostering self-confidence, communication, leadership, and other life skills; and

WHEREAS, This year, the FIRST tournaments involved a game called Ultimate Ascent, played by two rival alliances of three robots each striving to score goals on a large field; the Clear Creek ISD high school team vanquished 59 competitors from Texas, California, Hawaii, and Mexico to take first place in the Lone Star Regional FIRST contest in March; in addition, the Robonauts won the Engineering Inspiration Award, which acknowledges outstanding efforts to enhance appreciation for engineering at school and in the community; the team went on to achieve two more important victories at the Bayou Regional in Kenner, Louisiana, and the Silicon Valley Regional in San Jose, California; and

WHEREAS, The Robonauts program was established 16 years ago as a partnership between NASA's Johnson Space Center and Clear Creek ISD, and it has since made significant strides in advancing community awareness of robotics; moreover, the team has made 16 appearances in the FIRST world championship; and

WHEREAS, In preparing for competition, the Robonauts collaborate with professional engineers from NASA and local businesses to design and develop a robot; the students acquire skills in project management, programming, and strategic thinking while learning to use sophisticated hardware and software; and

WHEREAS, Through their hard work, ingenuity, and commitment to excellence, the talented members of the Robonauts team have carried on a proud tradition of accomplishment, and in so doing, they have earned the lasting admiration of their fellow students and their community; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 83rd Texas Legislature hereby congratulate the Clear Creek Independent School District high school robotics team on winning three consecutive regional FIRST tournaments and extend to all those associated with the Robonauts program sincere best wishes for continued success; and, be it further

RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be prepared for the Robonauts as an expression of high regard by the Texas House of Representatives.